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1+1-1=0

The
key principles of the gospel, community and mission are not isolated
elements but intertwined principles that can not be separated without
some distortion of the others:GOSPEL
+ COMMUNITY - MISSION = an inward focused, stagnating church looking to
meet it’s own felt needs. Do we really believe the gospel if we are not
spreading it?GOSPEL
+ MISSION - COMMUNITY = evangelism that makes converts rather than
disciples. Do we really believe the gospel if we don’t care for people
beyond getting them to make a “decision” at an evangelistic event?MISSION
+ COMMUNITY - GOSPEL = gathering people and deepening relationships
around what? If the community is centered around itself it is doomed to
failure. Do we really believe the gospel if we never mention it?The
gospel is the heart of everything in the christian life. Community is
the context where the gospel is lived out. Mission is the natural
response to the love that we’ve been shown and the message we have
heard. Community needs the gospel to produce real love and unity.
Mission needs the gospel to address ultimate, rather than superficial
needs - it is the healthy outworking of a gospel centered community.